Texas Catholic Voice Oct 23, 2023

In this issue of the Texas Catholic Voice: Support HB 1 on parental choice … Oppose HB 4 on immigration… David Speer to be executed Thursday … Synod on Synodality  … And more! A Message from Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director Last Thursday night, the long-awaited House parental choice bill was filed. HB 1 includes the…

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Support SB1: Meets most of bishops’ criteria for supporting parental choice

 The following was presented on Oct. 10, 2023.  Jennifer Allmon, Executive Director  My name is Jennifer Allmon, and I am the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops, testifying in support of SB 1. Fundamentally, we believe parents have the right and responsibility to direct their children’s education and Education Savings Accounts should…

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Bishops address border tragedies

The TCCB has issued the following statement in response to recent reports of inhumane actions on the border: Recent media reports present a disturbing account of horrific tragedies occurring along the Rio Grande on the Texas/Mexico border. These reports stir our hearts again for the plight of our sisters and brothers who are seeking a…

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Proposed changes to Medicaid and CHIP will critically weaken Texas health care safety net

TCCB Executive Director Jennifer Allmon has written to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, stating that a proposed rule released on May 3 “proposes changes to Medicaid’s financing, distribution, and adjudication that will critically weaken our health care safety net. These changes jeopardize the healthcare…

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Archbishop Sheehan, first bishop of Lubbock, dies June 3

Founding bishop of Lubbock Diocese, Archbishop emeritus Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, remembered for life of service and faithRetired Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe, the founding bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, died June 3, 2023. He was buried June 9, 2023 from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa…

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Bishop Olson testifies in support of SB8, parental choice

My name is Bishop Michael Olson and I serve as the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth that covers 28 counties in North Texas. I am here to testify on behalf of the Diocese of Fort Worth and the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. We register initial support for the committee substitute for…

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Response Video Regarding Provision of so called “Gender Affirming Care”

The TCCB has been made aware of an undercover video showing a social worker employed by Dell Children’s Medical Group, a part of Ascension Seton, allegedly discussing the provision of so-called “gender affirming” care. Catholic hospitals do not discriminate against anyone and provide authentic healthcare to anyone who walks through their doors. We believe in…

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88th Legislature Immigration Bills

88th Legislature Immigration Bills For years, burdens of an unworkable system of immigration have fallen heavily on states and communities along the US-Mexico border. The human and moral cost of ongoing federal inaction to create an effective set of policies to ensure safe and orderly migration is tragically reflected both in an unprecedented number of persons…

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Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops supports parental choice in education bills

AUSTIN — Recognizing education is one of the best means to escape poverty and that parents are best suited to determine the right educational choice for their children, the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops (TCCB) supports a set of bills increasing parental choice in education. The bills have been filed by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, Sen.…

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2023 Teachers of the Year

Julie Ortiz Geralyn Klimitchek Teachers of the Year from small towns exemplify the vocation of educators Mrs. Julie Ortiz, who currently teaches at St. John Berchmans Catholic School in San Antonio, and Mrs. Geralyn Klimitchek, who has taught her entire career at Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Hallettsville, are the 2023 Texas Catholic Conference…

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